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The Tudor Society
  • Stoke – Livechat transcript – Julian Humphrys

    Thanks as always to those who came to our live chat with Julian Humphrys. We had a spirited discussion and I think a lot was learned by all

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  • More Tudor Henrys Word Search

    Following on from last week’s Tudor Henry’s Crossword Puzzle, this week’s Sunday quiz tests your knowledge of Tudor Henry’s even further with a word search puzzle.

    Do remember that the words can go in any direction.
    Hint: The answers can all be found on the Tudor Society website!

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  • The Cornish Rebellion of 1497 with Julian Humphrys

    Thank you to battlefield historian Julian Humphrys for this week’s Friday video, which is on a rebellion that took place in the reign of King Henry VII, the Cornish Rebellion.

    Do remember that Julian is joining us in the Tudor Society chatroom later today to answer your questions on his expert talk on the Battle of Stoke Field…

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  • February 2021 – Tudor Life – Sloth

    We continue our series of magazine themes based on the deadly sins with this month’s edition on sloth.

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  • This Week in Tudor History Part 2 – Elizabeth I’s guardian, a Master of Swans, a king’s death announced and more!

    In the second part of “This Week in Tudor History” for 25-31 January, I talk about events that happened on 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st January in the reigns of the Tudor monarchs. Find out more about the following Tudor people and events.

    28th January 1501 – The death of politician and administrator, John Dynham, 1st Baron Dynham, who managed to move smoothly from service to the Yorkists to Henry VII’s service, and who survived the falls of his brother-in-law and stepson.

    29th January 1559 – The death of Sir Thomas Pope, guardian of Princess Elizabeth (Elizabeth I), founder of Trinity College…

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  • Lucy Somerset, Baroness Neville (1524-1583)

    Lucy Somerset was born in around 1524 to Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester, and his second wife, Elizabeth Browne, who is perhaps best known for her alleged role in Anne Boleyn’s downfall. Little is known of Lucy’s early life; however, as a noblewoman, it is assumed that she would have been accomplished in courtly manners. She was also involved with prominent courtiers, particularly the Brandon family through her aunt’s marriage to Sir Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. This made Lady Anne Brandon and her sister Lady Mary Brandon her first cousins and important connections, both with prominent royal relations and friendships.

    It is believed that Lucy was sent to the court of Henry VIII around 1540 aged 16, where she served his fifth consort, Katherine Howard, as a Maid of Honour during her marriage to Henry VIII. In 1542, when Katherine Howard was awaiting execution for treason, Lucy was supposedly mentioned in a letter by the imperial ambassador, Eustace Chapuys.

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  • A priest in the Little Ease, death from plague, and heretics meet their ends – January 25 – 31, Part 1

    On 25th January 1540, Jesuit priest and martyr, St Edmund Campion, was born in London. Although he was close to the Earl of Leicester and William Cecil at one point, he ended up being thrown into the Tower of London’s Little Ease and being executed as a traitor. Let me tell you his story in today’s video.

    On 26th January 1528, diplomat and courtier Sir Francis Poyntz died of the plague.

    On 27th January 1556, in the reign of Queen Mary I, Bartholomew Green, also known as Bartlet Green, was burnt at the stake for heresy with six other Protestants. He could have got away with receiving communion according to Protestant rites, but he did something that brought him to the attention of the queen and her government. Find out what he did, and about his sad end…

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  • Tudor Henrys Crossword Puzzle

    Henry was a rather popular name during the Tudor period, with many sons being named after the two King Henrys.

    But how much do you know about the Henrys of the Tudor period?

    Test yourself with this fun crossword puzzle.

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  • Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey

    As it was the anniversary of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey’s execution this week, I thought I’d pay tribute to this Tudor man by giving you an overview of his life and sharing some of his works.

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  • This week in Tudor History – 18-24 January – Part 2

    Part 2 of “This week in Tudor History” covers Tudor history events from 22nd to 24th January.

    22nd January 1561, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I – The birth of politician, philosopher, author and scientist Francis Bacon at York House, the Strand, London. Bacon is known as “the Father of the Scientific method” and Baconians believe that he was the true author of some or all of William Shakespeare’s plays…

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  • This week in Tudor History – 18-24 January – Part 1

    Part 1 of “This week in Tudor History” covers Tudor history events from 18th to 21st January.

    Find out all about these Tudor events…

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  • Quiz – Match the words to the Tudor monarch

    Who said what and to whom?

    How much do you know about the words written and spoken by the Tudor kings and queens?

    Test yourself with today’s fun quiz.

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  • Get involved in my videos

    As you know, I do regular Tudor history-themed videos for YouTube and I just wanted to share with you an idea Tim had for my channel.

    The idea is for viewers to actually be a part of my videos by recording themselves asking a question. The topic is the Tudors: fact or fiction?

    Do you have a burning question about a Tudor novel, TV series or movie? Well, here’s your chance to be in a video and get your question answered.

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  • The Royal Supremacy and the Break with Rome

    On this day in history, 15th January 1535, in his privy chamber, in the presence of men including Thomas Boleyn, Thomas Cromwell, the Duke of Norfolk, and Thomas Audley, Henry VIII proclaimed that he was now the supreme head of the Church in England.

    But why had he taken this title and what events had led to this proclamation?

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  • This week in Tudor History – 11 – 17 January – Part 2

    This second part of this week’s “This week in Tudor History” covers events that took place in the Tudor period on 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th January. Find out all about these Tudor events

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  • Off with her head – A History Channel Podcast including an interview with Claire

    Just before Christmas I recorded an interview with the History Channel podcast team, which was fun to do as it’s always lovely to talk about Tudor history, and especially Anne Boleyn.

    If you’re in an English speaking country, you should be able to find the podcast on your usual podcast platform. Here’s the blurb and a few links for you:

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  • This week in Tudor History – 11 – 17 January – Part 1

    This week, I thought I’d split the week into two, so this video covers Tudor history events that took place on 11th, 12th and 13th January – the execution of a printer, the death of a baron, soldier and naval commander, the death of a godson of Henry VIII…

    Below, you’ll also find videos from previous years that cover these dates.

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  • Tudor Marys Wordsearch

    Mary was a very popular name in the Tudor period, with people naming their daughters after the Virgin Mary, godmothers and royalty, but can you use the clues to find the surnames of important Tudor Marys in this wordsearch?

    Remember, the words can go in any direction!

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  • Lil’s Reviews – Innocent Traitor

    In the first of a long series of book reviews, this week we have Lil with a review of her favourite Tudor book – Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir.

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  • John Neville, 4th Baron Latimer (1520-1577)

    John Neville, 4th Baron Latimer, was born in around 1520 and was the only son of John Neville, 3rd Baron Latimer and his first wife, Dorothy de Vere. After his first wife’s death, the 3rd Baron married Elizabeth Musgrave; however, she also sadly died. In 1534, the 3rd Baron Latimer ¡married Katherine Parr, who was at that time Lady Borough, widow of Sir Edward Borough. This made John Neville the Younger the stepson of Katherine Parr.

    It is said that Katherine was a kind stepmother to John and his sister, Margaret, evidenced by the latter’s will dated 1545, which thanked Katherine for her education and the kindness and love she had received when younger.

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  • Heart Burial

    In today’s edition of Teasel’s Tudor Trivia, Teasel and I look at the practice of heart and entrails burial.

    Was it common to bury the heart and entrails separately from the rest of the body in medieval and Tudor times?

    Why would people have their organs and body buried separately?

    I answer these questions and also give real examples, including those of prominent Tudor people and royalty.

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  • 6 January – The Feast of Epiphany or Kings’ Day

    Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, which commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. It was an important day in the Tudor calendar, and it brought the feasting and celebrations of the Twelve Days of Christmas to a close. It’s still an important day in many countries today.

    Find out more about Epiphany and how it was celebrated at the Tudor court, and how it is celebrated today, with these resources:

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  • The Tudor Society on BBC Radio Bristol

    I had the pleasure of chatting to James Hanson on BBC Radio Bristol this morning, just for a couple of minutes, about Christmas decorations and Candlemas.

    I know from my social media feeds that many people have already taken down their decorations and got “back to normal”, and usually the tradition is to take them down before Twelfth Night or Epiphany, but medieval and Tudor people didn’t rush to take down the greenery they’d put up.

    I talked about this live on air with James…

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  • This week in Tudor History January 4 – 10

    In this new series for 2021, I’m looking at Tudor events a week at a time. This talk covers events from the Tudor period which took place on January 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th.

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  • January Births and Deaths Crossword Puzzle

    Happy New Year! Our first quiz/puzzle of 2021 tests your knowledge of births and deaths that either took place during the Tudor period or were of people associated with the Tudors.

    Simply click on the link or image below to open and print out the crossword puzzle, then grab your favourite snack and beverage, make yourself comfortable and get those little grey cells working!

    Hint: All the answers can be found on the Tudor Society website.

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  • Happy New Year and the death of a king

    Happy New Year!

    In this video that I did for the YouTube channel, I talk about King Louis XII of France, first husband of Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII, and his death on this day in history, 1st January 1515.

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  • Anne of Cleves – Heather R Darsie – Expert Talk

    In this month’s expert talk, Heather R Darsie, author of “Anna, Duchess of Cleves”, looks at what Anne of Cleves’ early life in Germany was like.

    Join Heather in the Tudor Society chatroom for a live Q&A session on Anne of Cleves on 23rd January.

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